Season Three Review of 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
Review of Season Three of the Series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!": "So Little Lived, So Much Experienced"
Rating: 8 out of 10
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Cast: Yegor Gubarev, Yuri Borosov, Valentina Lyapina, Fyodor Roschin, Evgeny Tkachenko, Viktor Sukhorukov, and others.
Summer of 1996: What’s New?
In its third season, "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" transports its audience back to the vibrant year of 1996. This chapter retains its core characters, but now they’re older and more seasoned by life’s experiences. Set in the city of Tula, significant transformations have occurred in the two years since the conclusion of the previous season. Our heroes—once carefree teenagers—now grapple with the complexities of adulthood: familial responsibilities, questionable escapades, and encounters with the law. All these struggles intertwine with their relentless quest for survival and happiness.
Key Plotlines:
- Sanyka (Yegor Gubarev): After graduating high school, he is trying to step into adulthood by working at a market while nurturing a budding relationship with a new girlfriend.
- Vovka and Malaya (Yegor Abramov, Polina Gukhman): They enter parenthood, faced with the immense pressure of providing for their expanding family, leading the young father to engage in risky schemes.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roschin): This character immerses himself in weightlifting and sports, bringing an amusing twist to his persona.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina): Returning to town with her fiancé, she stirs up waves of surprise and envy among her friends.
- Sanyka’s Mother: Entrapped by legal troubles due to financial misdeeds, her husband clings to the hope of salvaging their family.
Simultaneously, a criminal subplot unfolds within the town, deliberately rooted in Tula as the narrative takes on a bolder stance. With a marked reduction in "criminal personnel" in previous seasons, new characters are introduced to keep the storyline fresh. Additionally, characters presumed dead—Alik and Vityok—make a return, now with more believable explanations surrounding their resurrection.
Strengths of the Season
Atmosphere and Soundtrack
Just as in earlier seasons, music plays a pivotal role in establishing the vibe of this installment. The soundtrack is a nostalgic mix of 90s hits paired with new compositions tailored specifically for the series. The album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll"—though released here ahead of its actual debut—emerges as a defining emblem of a new epoch. Musical interludes enhance the gravitas of significant moments, enriching the viewing experience.
Attention to Detail
The visual presentation and script meticulously recreate the 90s landscape. Each frame acts as a time capsule, filled with scenes of sidewalk kiosks, fashion trends of the era, and everyday struggles. The personal intricacies of life blend seamlessly with societal nuances, crafting a holistic depiction of that transformative period.
Characters that Leave a Mark
The journey of the protagonists throughout the third season is rife with events and revelations. The creators expertly navigate between comedy and tragedy, illustrating the harsh intersection of youthful naivety and the stark realities of growing up. The performances are commendable, particularly those of Yegor Gubarev and Yuri Borosov, whose portrayals invest their characters with depth and sincerity.
Weaknesses and Controversial Aspects
Some viewers might feel that the season’s onset drags slightly. A slower pacing typically builds tension, yet here it risks tiring those eager for immediate engagement.
The resurrection of previously "deceased" characters, although logically integrated into the storyline, may sometimes come off as a contrived mechanism for narrative balance rather than an organic evolution of the plot.
Overall Impression
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" continues to charm viewers with its authenticity and emotional richness. The creators successfully tackle significant themes of maturation, family dynamics, and the essence of friendship, all while reminding audiences that at its heart, this series revolves around the human experience. Despite its few contentious elements, this new installment merits attention due to its quality direction, strong ensemble cast, and its ability to evoke nostalgia for a bygone time.
Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates depth and sincerity interwoven with a vibrant 90s atmosphere.